Press Conferences

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Yasuhide Nakayama: On October 12, I, on behalf of the Government of Japan, attended the Conference on the Reconstruction of Gaza held in Cairo in Egypt. The conference was hosted by Norway and Egypt. Over 90 countries, international organizations, and other partners participated in this conference from around the world.

In my speech, I underscored that with regard to the recent confrontation in Gaza, it was necessary to consolidate the ceasefire, to prevent the reoccurrence of the situation and to achieve reconstruction of Gaza through governance of the Palestinian Authority. To steadily press ahead with reconstruction, I proposed to establish a support mechanism in which international community is involved, and furthermore, called on the concerned parties to continue the consultations for the resumption of the Middle East peace talks.

Japan already announced in March 200 million U.S. dollars as a pledge for Palestinian assistance. As part of this assistance, I announced that Japan would provide 20 million U.S. dollars which will be used for the removal of rubble, and in the areas of food supply and social and economic development.

Ahead of the conference, I held talks with Minister for Foreign Affairs Shoukry of Egypt on the 11th, and held talks with President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, Secretary of State Maçães of Portual, among others on the 12th. In addition, on the margins of the conference, I held informal discussions with U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, Secretary-General of the United Nations and Ban Ki-moon, Quartet Representative, Tony Blair, among others.

Saito, Kyodo News: My question regards Asia. A short while ago, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced that the Trilateral Cyber Dialogue among Japan, China, and the ROK would be held in Beijing. During the Trilateral Cyber Dialogue, what issues would Japan like to raise? What will Japan be asserting? What sort of common understanding will Japan aim to reach? Can you please share your thoughts?

State Minister Nakayama: I believe MOFA has sent a press release to the press club of MOFA that Trilateral Cyber Dialogue among Japan, China, and the ROK will be held in Beijing on October 21. As has already been announced by MOFA, Mr. Akira Kono, Ambassador in charge of Cyber Policy, will be heading the Japanese delegation. The three countries will discuss and exchange views on strategies and policies of each country in the field of cyber affairs, and consult on international norms, regional and international processes, and future direction of trilateral cooperation on cyber policy.

Risks for the stable use of cyberspace are emerging as new security challenges. In this context, Japan recognizes the importance of cooperation in the international community for increasing the safety of cyberspace. Japan will continue to proactively promote collaborative efforts in this area.

Saito, Kyodo News: I would like to change the subject to the reports that the Government has requested the partial revision of the report of Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy concerning comfort women. What international outreach efforts will you be undertaking to restore Japan’s honor and image over the comfort women issue, including the problems with the report?

For example, will or will not MOFA be making more efforts to disseminate information via the internet or by other means? Do you have any other good ideas? Can you please share your views with us?

State Minister Nakayama: First, with regards to the report you referred to, my understanding of the relevant facts is that Radhika Coomaraswamy, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its Causes and Consequences, submitted to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights a report on violence against women, and the first Addendum Report to the main report includes her comments on the comfort women issue.

Regarding the position of the Government of Japan on this report, it is the same as it has explained at the United Nations including the Commission on Human Rights up to the present time. As there have recently been developments–namely, the Asahi Shimbun’s retraction of its reporting on this matter–we think an appropriate response is to clearly explain these developments to Ms. Coomaraswamy herself and encourage her in some form to revise the views she expressed in the document. Therefore, Japanese government officials met with her directly on the 14th and explained our position, and moreover explained the Asian Women’s Fund which implemented after the report and the situation regarding the initiatives taken by Japan to promote women’s rights.

Also, specifically, the Abe Administration is currently in particular devoting its energies into public relations. We launched a group of volunteer members of the Liberal Democratic Party, centered on Mr. Yoshiaki Harada as the Chairman, and I also served him as Acting Chairman. From the standpoint, I have now become the State Minister for Foreign Affairs. Therefore while I think State Minister for Foreign Affairs Kiuchi in charge will play a central role, with the instruction from the Prime Minister and the consultation with the party, we would like to fully prepare for enhancing public relations, employ effective methods and resolutely strive to correct the mistaken perceptions.

When I participated in a Diet members’ meeting to think about Japan’s future and history education, of which the chairman was Mr Nariaki Nakayama, I was chairman of the Comfort Women Subcommittee and Mr Toru Toida was chairman of the Nanjing Problem Subcommittee. In this form, I have been involved in this problem for a long time. While I had the same opinion then, I myself believe it is vitally important to research firm evidence based on objective facts and objective historical facts, in a form by which a judgment can be made and understanding obtained naturally within a time frame in which the passage of time will not have eroded the evidence. It is also important to make sure the evidence is kept, and use it to guide us in the correct direction.

Matsumoto, Jiji Press: I have two questions about Japan-China relations. Yesterday, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Japan Mr. Cheng Yonghua made a lecture in Tokyo in which he indicated that China request sincere and concrete actions to Japan on territorial and historical issues at a Summit Meeting that will be held on the sidelines of the APEC meeting in November. I would like to ask how Japan views this comment.

Secondly, in regard to the specific issue of the Senkaku Islands, in order to bring about the Summit Meeting, is it possible that the Government of Japan is prepared, ready and has the leeway to go to the table to hold dialogue, discussions or negotiations on the Senkaku Islands?

I would like to ask these two questions.

State Minister Nakayama: I am aware that Ambassador Cheng Yonghua made a lecture in Tokyo in which he mentioned various issues and challenges between Japan and China and that his comments included that the Chinese side is also hoping to bring Japan-China relations back on normal track. The Japanese side likewise wants to improve Japan-China relations and takes notes of Ambassador Cheng’s indication that China holds similar aspirations.

Stable Japan-China relations are not only important benefits to the citizens of both countries but also have a substantial impact on the international community and the peace and prosperity of the region, I believe. In order to build a stable friendship, we hope to bring about a Summit Meeting shortly and advance strategic mutually beneficial relations further through dialogues.

At the same time, since there are issues, we should proactively undertake dialogue, I think, and I view the Senkaku issue in the same light, so I hope this answers your question.

Saito, Kyodo News: Forgive my persistence, but there is one part of your comment that I want to confirm.

Just now you suggested that dialogue should take place regarding the Senkaku Islands as well. However, Japan’s conventional position is that the Senkaku Islands are Japan’s inherent territory in light of historical facts and based upon international law, and so no territorial dispute exists in the first place. Consequently, I think that a standpoint of holding dialogue on territorial issues is not the standpoint that has been adopted thus far, but could you confirm this point, please?

State Minister Nakayama: I would conversely like to thank you for pointing that out.

Mr. Matsumoto of Jiji Press deliberately separated his questions, referring to territorial issues in one and the Senkaku Islands issue in the other, and so I used the terms separately when I answered. However as was just pointed out by Mr. Saito of Kyodo News, the Government of Japan’s policy thus far and now also is that the Senkaku Islands are Japan’s inherent territory and no facts to dispute that exist historically either, and that position has not changed in any way. Consequently, when I was asked separate questions I separated my answers. However, if my answers seemed to suggest a connection because of liaison of Japanese words, then that is incorrect. I would like you to understand that the Government of Japan’s policy up to now, which was just pointed out in Mr. Saito’s question, and what I said earlier, do not deviate in any way.

State Minister Nakayama: I would like to comment briefly on the issue of the former Sankei Shimbun Seoul bureau chief.

We have firmly conveyed the ROK side that the indictment of the former Sankei Shimbun Seoul bureau chief is extremely regrettable from the standpoints of freedom of the press and relations between Japan and the ROK and that we are deeply concerned about the situation. The Government of Japan intends to continue to request an appropriate response from the ROK side at various opportunities and levels, including regarding the recent issue of the ban on him leaving the country.